Buffalo Bills News - March 13, 2003

Adams still interested in signing with Bills [10:01 PM]AP reports:
Earlier Thursday, the Bills met with former Arizona Cardinals WR/kick returner MarTay Jenkins, an UFA. Jenkins had 21 catches for 251 yards and was the Cardinals top returner before missing the last half of last season with a broken shoulder blade. The Bills are seeking a new returner after electing not to re-sign Charlie Rogers last month.

Free Agent MarTay Jenkins Visits Buffalo [5:27 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"I can do both. I've done both throughout my career. Special teams is defiantly what made me. I made a name for myself out there. I've progressed as a receiver the last couple of years. It's kind of a bonus for me that I can do both. Plus gunner, kickoff and all those other added special teams they would want me to do so I would hope that would be an added incentive."

Spikes brings warrior mentality to Buffalo [9:01 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I feel born again," said the 26-year-old Spikes. "I'm looking forward to meeting all of the guys, building up the camaraderie and enjoying life. I'm happy with where I'm at, I'm happy with everything that comes along with it and I'm looking forward to starting up."'

Suddenly, Bills fever is spiking [9:01 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"And it ain't over yet," said John Guy, the Bills' director of pro personnel. "We still have more pieces to get. We're not in a rush, but when we find a guy who fits our situation, and at the right price, we'll spin our efforts that way. We're just trying to be patient, be flexible."'

Spikes adds bite to Bills defense [5:19 AM]D and C reports:
'“I feel born again,” said Spikes, a first-round pick out of Auburn in 1998 who endured seasons of 3-13, 4-12, 4-12, 6-10 and 2-14 in Cincinnati. "It took 12 days (on the market), but it felt like two months. I’m just happy where I’m at. I’m happy with everything that comes with this and I’m looking forward to starting it up.”'

Spikes lured by Jennings [5:19 AM]Shout! reports:
They're not scouts, coaches, owners or general managers, but Takeo Spikes and Jonas Jennings have spent time recruiting one another during their relatively short football careers. Today, Spikes, 26, was officially welcomed as a Buffalo Bill.

March 12, 2003

Playoffs now Spikes' top priority in Buffalo [9:16 PM]AP reports:
'``I know I said last week that I want to just smell the playoffs,'' Spikes said Wednesday in his first public appearance as a Bill. ``Let me correct that. I do want to smell the playoffs. But I want to bite the Super Bowl.'''

Bills Introduce Linebacker Takeo Spikes [6:20 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"Yes and they should be. I don't think that it will be any question with guys here. Just talking to some of them in passing. We want to win. I know I said early last week I just wanted to smell the playoffs but let me correct that. I do want to smell the playoffs but I want to bite the Super Bowl. Everybody is talking about the Super Bowl and now there is no reason that we shouldn't be making a run for it."

Raiders add three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle [4:51 PM]ESPN reports:
The addition of Stubblefield, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, provides the Raiders with a veteran insurance policy in the event starter Sam Adams does not return to the club. Adams was released by the Raiders last month for cap purposes, has visited with other teams, and seems to be focused in on a deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Goodbye Newman [4:04 PM]ESPN reports:
Newman reunites with former coach Phillips
Bills LB Keith Newman chose to return to the defensive system he learned from his former head coach when he selected Falcons over Texans. Wade Phillips, the former Bills HC, turned around the Falcons defense last year as its DC. Newman agreed to an incentive laden three-year, $3.4 million contract. The contract can be voided into a two-year deal. Based on his playing time, there are incentives in the contract that could add around $800,000 a year early in the deal. The Bills replaced Newman by signing Texans LB Jeff Posey and Bengals LB Takeo Spikes. Newman was considered one of the better 3-4 outside LBs available in free agency. The Texans and Falcons are 3-4 teams.

WR/KR in Buffalo on Thursday [3:46 PM]WNSA reports:
MarTay Jenkins' visit with the Buffalo Bills is on hold until Thursday. Jenkins is now scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on Wednesday night and will meet with the team on Thursday. Jenkins is one of the league's top kick returners and is also developing as a solid receiver.

Spikes Has Arrived In Buffalo [2:21 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Recently-acquired LB Takeo Spikes has arrived in Buffalo. Spikes will be officially introduced as the newest member of the Buffalo Bills at 3:15 PM this afternoon. Listen to the press conference live on buffalobills.com. After his press conference, Spikes will read through some of the emails he's received. Here's your chance to send him a question or comment and welcome him to Buffalo.

Former Bills Safety Steve Freeman - Now NFL Back Judge [1:42 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
From 1975 until late in the ‘84 campaign, Freeman was in on a lot of plays. And in fact, did not miss a game. A 144-game streak. However, during a November game against New England, he suffered a ruptured thigh muscle. The Bills lost that afternoon to go 0-11, but it never crossed Freeman’s mind to let the injury heal properly and finish the disappointing season on the sideline.

Buffalo already knows Dyson [5:15 AM]D and C reports:
'“I just want to go somewhere where I can make a difference and make plays,” Dyson said. “Buffalo has a Hall of Fame quarterback and he looks for his receivers to make plays, so to have an opportunity like that would be something I would definitely look forward to.”'

Bills are off-season's big winner so far [5:14 AM]Fox Sports reports:
'In essence, the Bills dropped nine spots in the first round — the No. 14 they sent to the Patriots compared to the No. 23 they acquired from the Falcons — and traded a receiver to land a franchise quarterback in Bledsoe. On the surface, it’s an outstanding deal for the Bills. Scratch the surface, and it’s even more impressive.'

The Week That Was: Falcons' crest [2:28 AM]NFL.com reports:
As the NFL continues its' "trade renaissance," one deal has stood above the rest and will impact two teams greatly in 2003. While the Falcons hope their latest move makes them "peerless," the Bills selected a new route for their receiving corps.

Bills get defensive [2:28 AM]NFL.com reports:
Look for the Bills to readjust their offensive focus to a more defensive-friendly scheme that places greater emphasis on the run and includes higher-percentage, ball-control passing. And look for their defense to give the offense more favorable field position by turning up the heat against quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Chad Pennington of the Jets, that often made producing big plays against Buffalo look a bit too easy.

Four ways to handle star players [2:27 AM]NFL.com reports:
The best example of how to control the market and get full value for a star player even when he's out of contract was the Buffalo Bills' handling of WR Peerless Price . Bills GM Tom Donahoe was not about to let a talented young receiver just go free and sign with a new team. He decided to put a franchise tag on him and force teams interested in Price to come forward and surrender a high draft pick for the right to sign him. Atlanta surfaced and eventually gave the Bills the 23rd pick in the first round for the rights to Price. The Bills got value for a player they could have easily kept on their roster. As one GM said to me, "I would have kept Price on my roster with Drew Bledsoe under center, but it was a masterful job by Donahoe of getting great value for him." Teams flirting with Price tried to get away with offering the Bills a second-round pick, but Donahoe held his ground and got what he wanted.

Bowen becomes Redskin [2:24 AM]Washington Times reports:
Meanwhile, long snapper Ethan Albright confirmed that he was cut and re-signed last week to take advantage of the veterans' cap credit. He wanted to make the move last year but the NFL wouldn't allow it. He said Cleveland and Buffalo both called during the five minutes he was on the market, but he never had any intention of leaving the Redskins.

March 11, 2003

Bills To Officially Introduce Takeo Spikes [10:48 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Recently-acquired linebacker Takeo Spikes will be in Buffalo on Wednesday, March 12, to be officially introduced as the newest member of the Buffalo Bills.
Bills fans currently have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of Authentic Takeo Spikes Reebok Jerseys by ordering them in the Online Pro Shop. Orders will also be taken now for Reebok Replica Jerseys, which will be first available for delivery on April 11, 2003.

Bills Fans Play Big Role In Recruiting Spikes [3:49 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"I thought I was coming out in Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium that last game of the year," said Spikes. "They made me feel welcome. So that's a big plus. I remember one guy said, 'Play well, Takeo. Just don't hurt anybody so you can get ready for us next year.' It was impressive."

LeBeau, Spikes together again [8:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Talks between Adams' agent and the Bills appear to be in a holding pattern while the Bills entertain more free agents. Adams, a two-time Pro Bowler, was the key run-stuffer on two AFC Super Bowl teams the last three years (Baltimore and Oakland). He remains interested in joining his friend, Pat Williams, on the Bills' defensive line.'

Bills nail down Spikes [5:31 AM]D and C reports:
'A dialogue with Adams’ agent, Angelo Wright, was kept open through the weekend and the sides spoke again on Monday. “I’m upbeat,” Wright said. “I think both parties recognize Sam could be an integral cog in the Bills getting to a Super Bowl.”'